The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-07-09
ANOTHER INVITATION.
THE FEELING IN ST. LOUIS ~ RE-
GARD TO THE PRESIDENT.
General Chagrin of Citizens Against the
Grand Army Propositions of Many for
the G. 4. R. to Find Another Place of
Meeting The Presidents Letter.

the G. 4. n. to find Another Place of
Meeting-rh Presidents Letter.
Dispatches from st. Louis state that
the withdrawal by the President of his
acceptance Of the invitation to visit that
city during the Grand Army encampment
has caused general chagrin and consider
able feeling against the Grand Army. 1t
was proposed by many Of the citizens
that the Grand Army should be requested
10 md another place Of meeting. More
sober sentiment dictated that the best
should be made of bad situation. The
citizens committee held a meeting in
Mayor Francis office yesterday afternoon,
and a committee was appointed TO draw
mp resolutions and an invitation to the
President to visit st. Louis during the
fair week
TUE ORIGINAL LETTER or INVITATION,
which was signed bg Mayor Francis.
Frank Gaiennie, president of the Mer-
chants Exchange, and John W Noble,
commander Of Frank p Blair Post. No.
I. G.. 4. r., says "The undersigned are
a committee appointed by the general
committee on arrangements for the pur-
pose Of extending 10 Yourself and your
esteemed wife a cordial and urgent inyi-
tatiOn 10 be present on the occasion and
10 accept the inequalities of the com
mite and Of the city. Every eXertion
will be made 10y our citizens, as well as
by the l00. 900 veterans then to be con
gregaied here, TO render your visit pleas.
ant and your stay interesting.
Allow MS TO suggest that no compliment
more fitting could DE bestowed upon the
valiant defenders Of common country
hy the Chief Executive of restored
Union. and none wOuA be more highly
appreciated than that conferred by his
presence at such a time and place"
THE PEsIDENT WROTE LETTER
to this committee also on July (. which
was "a declnation similar to that sent TO
the citizens committee but more brief.
In 1t he says
THE statement contained in your let
ter that the organization was never in SO
A0urishng condition rs now, nor its
membership so large; that no effort is
being spared 10y the citizens of st. Louis
10 insure a welcome of unusual warmth
at this, the first encampment of that body
ever held I'm a Southern State, and your
suggestion that no compliment more fit
ting could be bestowed upon the valiant
defenders of common country hy the
Chief Executive Of "a restored Union, and
none would be more highly appreciated
than that conferred by his presence at
such a time and place, enlisted my feel
ing and interest More recently indca-
ti0ns have been disclosed that, however
correctly you expressed the prevailing
sentiment in the Grand Army, there are
members and some posts )f that body
entertaining different feelings in respect
to my attendance, and that my acceptance
Of your invitation would lead TO discOrd
in the organization, as well As an Interrupt
ton OF cordiality at the coming cncamp.
ment Without entering into discus
sion Of these opinions, and unmOyed by
any feeling, although | deeply regret the
condition, can but regard it my duty TO
refrain from contributing by my action
10 so undesirable result Nothing can
be of greater Importance in connection
with the cncampmcnt than the free and
unrestrained manifestation by is pariici-
pants of that patriotic fraternity Of feel
ing suggested by the selection of the place
Of holding il. and which Is az once the
proof of the complete success OF their
arms and the highest glory Of our veteran
soldiers. am constrained, therefore, To
Withholding purposed acceptance Of your
invitation"